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Lakers add forward with Q experience

'We are excited to add a player with over 240 games of major junior experience'
20180530lakers Zach Moody
Zach Moody with the Quebec Remparts. Photo submitted.

The Nipissing Lakers men’s hockey team has added a major junior veteran and a player with Memorial Cup experience.

In an effort to boost offence, Lakers head coach Mike McParland has signed forward Zach Moody, who spent four years in the QMJHL and his overage season in the MJAHL with the Truro Bearcats.

Over his career in the ‘Q,’ Moody played 240 games, playing another 49 in his final year of junior with the Bearcats.

Moody is excited about the opportunity to suit up for the Lakers and continue his hockey career at the OUA/USports level.

“It's very exciting for me and my family that I have started to go to school and get to continue playing hockey,” Moody said.

“I haven't set too many expectations this year yet, just want to help the team win games.”

The 6-foot-1, 160-pound forward had his best season in the QMJHL in 2015-16 when he posted 10 goals and 15 assists with the Quebec Remparts.

He played three full seasons in Quebec after being traded by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, where he began his junior career.

He also played in 25 post-season games for the Remparts, helping them to a President’s Cup championship in 2014-15, as they advanced to the Memorial Cup.

In Truro, Moody had a huge year, posting 59 points in 49 games, as well as 10 points in 17 playoff games as he was part of another championship team, as the Bearcats won the Kent Cup, moving on to the Fred Page Cup.

McParland believes someone with that much experience will be able to help his team and he’s hoping Moody can bring a winning attitude to his program as well.

“We are excited to add a player with over 240 games of major junior experience. We are looking forward to Zach giving us a shot in the arm offensively. We are looking to improve in that area,” McParland said.

The native of Margaretsville, NS has another bullet point on his resume, as he played for Canada-Atlantic at the 2012-13 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the same tournament as players like Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen and Dylan Larkin.

The experience Moody has gained at all levels leading up to this point should help him make the jump and hopefully be successful right away at the OUA level.

“Junior helps you mature as a player so I hope it's made me good enough that I’m able excel at this level,” he explained, adding his main attribute is having a strong hockey IQ. “I am a smart player with s bit of skill, love having the puck on my sick.”

With the annual turnover to deal with McParland has been busy and believes the players he’s spoken with and has talked to will benefit the program.

Moody is one of them, with more on the way as the off-season continues.

Another addition the Lakers have made is signing defenceman, Trevor Bush, who joins the Lakers after finishing up his junior career with the Campbellton Tigers of the MJAHL.

Prior to that, he spent two seasons with the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL and part of a season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL.

He posted 21 points last season, a total of 27 with La Ronge and a pair with Drummondville.

Originally from Guelph, ON, the 6-foot-2 Bush has spent time both as a forward and defenceman, offering the Lakers some versatility.

“Trevor is a D-man coming to us via Saskatchewan and the Maritimes. We welcome Trevor's size and look forward to him competing to be a member of our defensive core in the upcoming year,” McParland said.